Washington State and Denmark establish formal ties around maritime and industrial expertise

Gov Ferguson and Ambassador Abrahamsen display the signed agreement.

SEATTLE — Governor Bob Ferguson and Ambassador Karen Eva Abrahamsen, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Denmark in the United States, established a new era in trade and partnership between Washington and Denmark with the signing of the first cooperative agreement between the two regions.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the State of Washington and the Royal Danish Embassy to advance shared priorities, including:

• Industrial decarbonization
• Water efficiency and reuse
• Commercialization of sustainable fuels
• Port development
• Maritime decarbonization
• Circular manufacturing and industrial symbiosis

This agreement will help drive further technology exchange and innovation, business ties, study and trade missions and more.

“From maritime technologies to industrial processes, Washington and Denmark have much to learn from each other,” said Governor Ferguson.

“This agreement will support our communities, research institutions, and businesses in strengthening relationships with their Danish partners.”

Governor Bob Ferguson and Ambassador Karen Eva Abrahamsen
share a word after the signing/

“With this agreement, Denmark and Washington State are combining their experience and strengths to create new opportunities for industries, ports and local communities,” said Ambassador Karen Eva Abrahamsen, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Denmark in Washington, D.C.

“I look forward to seeing what we will build together.”

Denmark is a world leader in vessel electrification. It has world class maritime engineering talent and government backed green shipping initiatives, including the ongoing implementation of a ferry electrification system. 

Washington state is also in the midst of electrifying both legacy and next-generation ferries. Together, these programs are among the largest ferry electrification projects in the world.

Industrial symbiosis refers to taking the waste from one industry, such as heat, left-over materials, or wastewater, and using that waste to feed into a neighboring industry. This makes businesses more efficient and lowers costs, creating growth opportunities while helping achieve climate goals.

Washington was the first state in the U.S. to develop a state-supported Industrial Symbiosis program and is currently the U.S. leader in advancing these techniques. Danish partners have been instrumental in the development of multiple economic projects around the state. 

Through this partnership and investments managed by the Washington State Department of Commerce, over 25 Washington ports, cities, and counties are pursuing industrial symbiosis as a strategy for sustainable growth and economic opportunity.

The signing took place at One Ocean Week, a major global oceans conference in Seattle hosted by Washington Maritime Blue.